The Hobbit Reading Group

Goal: To think critically and communicate ideas clearly in verbal and in written form.

Week 7

Chapter 16 A Thief in the Night (Bilbo sneaks away)1. How does Bilbo leave the Mountain without being caught? 2. What is Bilbo's plan to avoid war? 3. What old friend does Bilbo meet in the camp?4. Why does Thorin reject Roac's advice? (253-254)5. Giving up the Arkenstone is Bilbo's noblest moment. Why does he do it? Would any other character in the story be capable of this? 6. Why does Bilbo return to the Mountain after he hands the Arkenstone over to the men and elves?

Chapter 17 The Clouds Burst (The Battle of Five Armies)1.What terms do Thorin and Bard come to? Read pages 260-2622.What army makes the first attack? 3.Name the armies in the Battle of Five Armies. 5.Where does Bilbo take his final stand? Why? (269)6.Contrast Thorin's attitude with the Elvenking's statement "Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold." 7.Which would be a greater evil--the killing of the armies of men, elves, and dwarves by the goblins, or a war between men, elves, and dwarves? Why?

Chapter 18 The Return Journey (After the Battle)1.Why isn't Bilbo found until the day after the battle? 2.Who turned the tide of the battle? 3.There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage ...and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" (p. 273). Discuss Bilbo's character now that his adventure is completed. Why does he refuse the treasure? Why is he weary of his adventure? 4.Examine the final views we get of Thorin on his deathbed and in his tomb. (p. 272) Is his quest fulfilled? Is Thorin's death necessary to the story? What lesson does he learn? Does he deserve our respect or admiration? 5.Examine in detail the various demands and offers made by Bard and the dwarves (and the elves). How does the final solution match what each party wants and deserves? What is the difference between Dain's gift and Thorin's promises? (275-276)

Chapter 19 The Last Stage (Bilbo heads home)1.Where was Gandalf while the expedition crossed Mirkwood? (280-281)2.Why are Bilbo's goods being auctioned?3.What happened to the old Master of Lake-town?4.Look at the elves' song (pp. 279-80). Describe the character and values of elves. 5."He gained-well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end" (p. 16). " 'My dear Bilbo!'{Gandalf} said 'Something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were'" (p284). What does Bilbo gain from his adventure? (Don't forget to include the ability and desire to make poetry.) What is the difference in the way his home is dear to him now? 6."'You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit'?" (p.286). Then what does manage them? 7.Why is Bilbo pleased that he is "only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" (p.287)?

Discuss the difference between the content, rhythms, and music of dwarf-songs (pp. 25, 27, 238, 248) and elf-songs (pp. 57, 279-281).

The Hobbit Movie - Production Diaries__________________________________________________________________________________________

1. What does the word hobbit make you think of? (The possibilities include rabbit, hobby, Babbit, habit and hob. The word is probably best seen as a blend of rabbit and hob, an obsolete British word meaning "a rustic, peasant" or "sprite, elf.") How does Bilbo resemble a rabbit in this chapter? When you finish the book, ask yourself if he still reminds you of one.

2. What is an adventure? Is it something that happens, or is it the way we react to what happens? Can we live without adventures? Is there any "magic" in this book? (Return to these questions as the book progresses.)

3. Explain all the meanings of "good morning" (pp. 17-19).

4. What about adventures awakens Bilbo's "Tookish" side (pp. 26-28, 30)? What causes his "Baggins" side to reemerge (pp. 30, 38)? Is the Baggins side timid or practical? Is the Tookish side heroic, curious or proud?

5. Even this early in the book, we can see some of the characteristics of dwarves. What are they?

6. What are dragons like (p.35)? As you read on, think about the differences and similarities between dwarves and dragons.

1.Compare the expedition's arrival at Beorn's house with the Unexpected Party of Chapter 1. Note that now Bilbo is in on the plot. While both hosts have to be cajoled, it is for very different reasons. What are they?

2.Discuss Beorn's character. What are his virtues? Why is he suspicious of strangers? What about him seems vicious? In what ways is he gentle?

1."Some sang too that Thror and Thrain would come back one day and gold would flow in rivers through mountain gates, and all that land would be filled with new song and new laughter. But this pleasant legend did not much affect their daily business" (190). Discuss the history of Lake-town and the beliefs of its inhabitants. What does it mean that they do not take their legends seriously?

2.Compare the attitudes of the men of Lake-town, the Master, and the Elvenking to Thorin's mission. Who is reasonable? Who is silly? Then consider Bilbo's attitude. Keeping in mind that elves are renowned for wisdom, how wise is Bilbo?

3."Some [dwarves] are decent enough people like Thorin and Company, if you don't expect too much" (204). What can Bilbo expect from the dwarves?

4."Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did...he fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait" (205). According to this passage, what is true courage? What abilities and character traits does Bilbo have? How do his earlier adventures prepare him for his confrontation with Smaug?

5.Is it wise to steal the cup? Why does Bilbo do it?

6.Describe the characteristics of dragons. What is the dragon-spell? Why are dwarves so susceptible to it? In this and the following chapters, trace the changing effects of the treasure on the dwarves and on Bilbo. (214)

7.Explain the names that Bilbo gives himself when speaking with Smaug: "I come from under the hill. . .I am the clue finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number," etc. (212-213).

8. What is the most important thing that Bilbo learns about Smaug? What does Smaug learn about Bilbo?

Chapter 13 Not at Home (Smaug's treasure)1.What does Thorin give Bilbo? 2.Why does Bilbo keep the Arkenstone? (225) Does he have a right to it?

Chapter 14 Fire and Water (Smaug attacks Lake-town)1.Who is the guard "with a grim voice" (234)? 2.Why do the men of Esgaroth destroy the bridges? 3.Why can Bard understand the thrush? (See pp. 217-218 and 237) 4.Why are the people of Esgaroth angry with Thorin?5.Characterize Bard and the Master. Who speaks more convincingly? What does their appearance suggest about them? Who has more courage? Who has more leadership? Do you believe that some people are natural leaders? Can this ability be inherited? 6.Why does the Elvenking set out from his halls? Why does he go to Esgaroth? What does this tell you about the value he places on treasure?

Chapter 15 The Gathering of the Clouds (Thorin finds out that Smaug is dead)1. How did Ravenhill get its name? 2. How old is Roac? 3. Is gold worth fighting for? Why won't Thorin deal with Bard and the Elvenking? Evaluate Bard's three topics for discussion (p. 250) and Thorin's answer; note Thorin's complete lack of pity for the Lake-men's distress.